This book has been nominated for the Irma Black Award, and I had a blast reading it to two classes of second graders last week. The storytime crowd loved it too. When Little Red’s Auntie Rosie develops a bad case of spots, Little Red sets out through the jungle to bring her some spot medicine. On the way, she meets a sneaky lion, who plots to shove Auntie Rosie in a cabinet and disguise himself in her clothes. Unfortunately for the lion, Little Red is not fooled. Before the lion has a chance to react, Little Red has given him a fashionable (and hilarious!) new hairdo, made him brush his disgusting teeth, and changed him into a lovely pink dress. The kids laughed out loud at the illustrations!

I had the kids stand up and mime the motions to this one, because it takes the reader on a journey through the jungle, where the tiger pops up unexpectedly among vines, under leaves, and even in the uniform of a boat captain. The kids loved spotting the tiger hidden in the illustrations, and running in place whenever I said, “It’s a Tiger!”

I’m a big fan of Jon Agee, especially since he gave a wonderful presentation at my son’s school a few years ago. This book was fun for the kids to act out as well, since they got to stretch, and roar, and pounce. It’s the story of a boy’s effort to earn his “Lion Diploma” from a very hard-to-please instructor.

Another hidden tiger book. This is a cute story about a girl named Lily, who blames her adorable gray kitten for some very destructive behavior. The kids enjoyed spotting the tiger on each page, and the feeling of knowing more than the main character. The surprise ending made them laugh too.

SONGS AND RHYMES:

We’re Going on a Tiger Hunt

Instead of the usual bear hunt, we went on a tiger hunt. This is a great way to give the kids a chance to move around in between books. I like to ham it up by pretending to get a grasshopper stuck in my shirt, wiping the mud off my feet, and shaking myself dry from the lake. There are lots of variations, but this the script I use, with the kids repeating every line:

We’re going on a tiger hunt!
(We’re going on a tiger hunt!)
It’s a beautiful day!
(It’s a beautiful day!)
We’re not scared!
(We’re not scared!)

We’re coming to some grass.
(We’re coming to some grass).
Can’t go over it.
(Can’t go over it.)
Can’t go under it.
(Can’t go under it.)
Have to go through it.
(Have to go through it.)
Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish! (Rubbing hands together)

We’re coming to some mud.
(We’re coming to some mud.)
Can’t go over it.
(Can’t go over it.)
Can’t go under it.
(Can’t go under it.)
Have to go through it.
(Have to go through it).
Squilch! Squelch! Squilch! Squelch! (Clapping hands together).

We’re coming to a lake.
(We’re coming to a lake.)
Can’t go over it.
(Can’t go over it.)
Can’t go under it.
(Can’t go under it.)
Have to swim across it.
(Have to swim across it.)
Splish! Splash! Splish! Splash!

We’re coming to a cave.
(We’re coming to a cave.)
Can’t go over it.
(Can’t go over it.)
Can’t go under it.
(Can’t go under it.)
Have to go inside.
(Have to go inside.)
Tiptoe…tiptoe…tiptoe…tiptoe…
It’s dark in here…
(It’s dark in here…)
It’s cold in here…
(It’s cold in here…)
Two yellow eyes…it’s a tiger!

Run!
Swim across the lake!
Run through the mud!
Run through the grass!
Into the house!
Slam the door!
Lock it!
We’re never going on a tiger hunt again!

Fun with Scarves

Something I’ve been meaning to blog about is my recent addition of scarves to my storytimes. Our library recently received a set of play scarves, and I found some fun, easy songs that we do each week with them. It’s a part of storytime, along with the instrument play at the end, that the kids look forward to each week. Here are the two songs I do most often:

I found this fun and easy craft on CraftyMorning.com. I put out plates with orange paint (along with other paint options for kids who wanted to do something different), along with googly eyes, markers, and plastic forks. Some of the kids smeared the paint to make the fork prints less obvious.

This is one of my all-time favorite picture books. A little red bird wonders why a lion has a bright green tail. She follows him for the day, until he disappears into his cave, but the next day his tail is orange! The reason for the lion’s colorful tail is a mystery until one stormy night when the lion rescues the bird, and brings her into his cave. A sweet story with beautiful illustrations.

Another nominee for the Irma Black Award this year, this funny book lists a wide assortment of animals sitting next to a hungry lion. On each page, there are fewer animals, although the reason for their disappearance will come as a surprise.

One of my favorite Little Golden books, this is the story of a lion who terrorizes all of the other animals, until a rabbit brings him home to enjoy some carrot stew with his large and entertaining family. I used to read this book over and over when I was a kid, and I love it still.